Chapter 162: Returning Home for New Year

Chapter 162: Homecoming for New Year's Visit

Su Yan was also stunned by Minister Nie's words. He glanced at Yun Niang and Nie Hua nearby, then thought of Minister Nie's presence here, a suspicion taking root in his mind.

Originally, he had planned to find an opportunity to appear before Nie Hua with Chu Geer, letting Nie Hua misunderstand and provoke a fight between them. After Nie Hua complained, they would enter the Nie residence, where he would reveal the truth in a moment of emotional breakdown. Now, this step was skipped entirely—it seemed Minister Nie already knew the truth.

The audacity! To commit such an act and still dare to meet Nie Hua, even living right under the nose of the capital—they truly had no fear.

Nie Hua was startled and looked at Minister Nie, stammering, "F-Father... did you misspeak?"

On the street, with outsiders present, Minister Nie ordered his servants to seize Nie Hua and Yun Niang and take them home. "Bind these two wretches and haul them back."

"Yes, Master."

"Father..." Nie Hua struggled.

Minister Nie slapped Nie Hua’s right cheek, matching the left one, his eyes filled with disgust. "Don’t call me father. Are you worthy?!"

Nie Hua finally realized something was terribly wrong. His entire body shook like a leaf as he saw Yun Niang also being restrained by the servants, his heart boiling with rage.

Why did Yun Niang come looking for him? If she hadn’t, none of this would have happened!

Su Yan looked at Minister Nie in surprise. "I acted out of necessity, Lord Nie. Your son slandered me and Young Master Chu with baseless claims. While my reputation matters little, Young Master Chu’s honor is of great importance."

Chu Geer was also shocked by Minister Nie’s actions. Hearing Su Yan’s words, he was moved. "Uncle Nie, Minister Su only clashed with Young Master Nie because of me. Please don’t blame him."

Minister Nie helped Su Yan up and gestured kindly to Chu Geer. "You may return home first. The Nie family will give the Chu family an explanation for this matter."

Chu Geer gave Su Yan a worried glance before leaving.

Minister Nie took Su Yan’s hand, studying his features. "My child, you’ve endured so much."

Su Yan was puzzled. "Lord Nie, what do you mean?"

"My child, let’s board the carriage first. I’ll explain everything to you slowly."

"I’m here on assignment with Lord Du. I haven’t yet requested leave from him."

Minister Nie sent someone to inform Du Ning. After all, as the Minister of Justice, he could simply speak to Du Ning later. But Minister Nie was a man who followed rules—since Su Yan was currently under Du Ning’s command, nothing should bypass his superior or skip proper channels.

Su Yan boarded the carriage, which was lavishly decorated. His heart swelled with satisfaction.

Minister Nie gripped a teacup and revealed the truth about the child swap.

"Back then, I was reassigned to the provinces, and your mother was bedridden. Yun Niang handled everything concerning you. When you were three, she claimed your face was injured. The doctor bandaged it, and you refused to see anyone, throwing constant fits. Your mother doted on you but lacked the energy to oversee things closely. That wretched woman took advantage and secretly swapped you out."

"Your mother, too ill to care for you, sent you to your grandparents in Lin County. They had never met you before—they had lived in Lin County their whole lives. By the time your mother recovered and went to fetch you, months had passed, and your grandparents had already accepted Nie Hua as their own."

What a cruel plot.

"No wonder 'Mother'—Yun Niang—didn’t want me to work in the Ministry of Justice or even study. It was only because other children were attending school that she reluctantly allowed it. When I entered the palace exams, I drank a bowl of porridge at night and suffered diarrhea in the palace. I fought through it—otherwise, I wouldn’t have ranked so well. Every clue was there... Why? Why didn’t they just strangle me from the start..." Su Yan seemed lost in his emotions, his face twisted with madness.

He’d been broken long ago.

Minister Nie embraced him. "Fear not, my son. I am your real father, and I will treat you well. You are the true heir of House Nie. My child, you’ve made me proud. You’ve shown such strength. From now on, confide in me—I’ll make it right. You are my son. No harm will come to you again. Forgive me for finding you so late. But I’m grateful I did in my lifetime, rather than carry this regret to my grave."

His official robe grew damp with warmth.

Minister Nie held Su Yan even tighter.

He didn’t know what would come of such a child swap, but he would never spare Nie Hua another glance. Just the sight of him reminded Minister Nie of how much suffering his own flesh and blood had endured under their schemes, while this servant’s son had enjoyed all the happiness that should have belonged to Su Yan.

He wanted to tear Nie Hua limb from limb—how could there be any tenderness left?

Even if there had been, it vanished the moment he learned the truth. Moreover, Su Yan was a Second-Ranked Jinshi, accomplished and upstanding—where else could one find such a fine son?

Who would pity Nie Hua? Who would pity his own true son?

When they arrived at the Nie residence, Su Yan got down from the carriage, his eyes still red.

Minister Nie took his hand and led him inside. "This is your home from now on."

Su Yan stepped into this manor like a landscaped garden.

Nie Hua and Yun Niang were bound with ropes, and the servants had dragged Su Dalang along too.

Madam Nie, still upset over Nie Hua’s bruised face, saw Minister Nie leading someone in and said, "How could you hit Hua’er like this? No matter how angry you are, you shouldn’t strike a child!"

Su Yan looked Madam Nie over. She appeared to be in her thirties, dignified and elegant, now shooting Minister Nie a disapproving glare.

Minister Nie replied coolly, "Two slaps weren’t nearly enough. This is the impostor. This is your real son—Su Yan. Tomorrow, we’ll inform the clan to amend the family records. You can choose whatever name you like for him. The mother of the impostor is right here—ask your servant yourself."

Madam Nie, given no warning, was stunned. She looked at Nie Hua, then at Su Yan.

"What is going on?" she asked, completely lost.

"Your son is Su Yan. Nie Hua is Yun Niang’s son. Our child was swapped when he was three," Minister Nie said flatly, as Su Yan would soon change his name anyway.

Madam Nie turned to Nie Hua, whose mouth was gagged. Then she looked Su Yan over, lifting his right arm to reveal a birthmark.

She then checked Nie Hua’s arm, touching it—only to realize it wasn’t a birthmark but a scar from a branding.

"Husband, are you joking? How can our son not be ours? We’ve raised Hua’er for over twenty years..." Madam Nie refused to believe it.

"I personally overheard Nie Hua plotting with Yun Niang. How could it be false? Otherwise, why would the young master of the Nie family meet a servant in secret? Look at Yan’er’s face, then at Nie Hua’s. Think carefully."

Madam Nie turned to Yun Niang, tears pouring down her face. She slapped Yun Niang hard, yanking her by the hair. "I treated you well—why would you do this?!"

Yun Niang, gagged, couldn’t speak.

Madam Nie pulled out a handkerchief.

"Why?! You look so much like me! How dare you live like royalty, marrying Lord Nie and enjoying such a good life, while I was just a maid, married off to a butcher! Your son is the eldest heir of the Minister of Justice, while mine was doomed to be a commoner—how could I accept that? But Fate smiled on me. Your son hit his head while playing and lost his memory—that’s when I came up with my scheme. I cut Nie Hua’s face and branded his arm. As long as my son remembered some things about your son at three, it was airtight. I was nervous, but then you fell ill and listened to me, sending your son to Lin County. See? Fate was on my side." Yun Niang let out a crazed laugh.

Su Yan clenched his fists, seething with anger and grief. Until now, he had always regarded Yun Niang as his mother—never realizing she had harbored such malice toward him since childhood.

Yun Niang snarled, "But I never expected your son would still pass the imperial exams. I should’ve strangled him then. I wanted to raise him to be trampled upon, to live as a commoner, even a slave—but you freed me from my indenture, thwarting my plans. I wanted him to live in ignorance, never knowing he was nobility, while my son enjoyed wealth and glory, marrying into high society, inheriting the Nie family’s legacy after your deaths! Even your family graves would be ours! I should’ve killed Su Yan..."

Having heard Minister Nie’s words earlier, Yun Niang knew there was no turning back—so she spilled her venom.

Madam Nie slapped Yun Niang repeatedly, her fury unabated. "If you had grievances, you should’ve come at me! Why torment my son?!"

Yun Niang didn’t care. She only regretted that Nie Hua hadn’t secured an official post through the Nie family, leaving him powerless now—while Su Yan had achieved it instead.

"I raised Su Yan so well—you should be thanking me! Look at how you’ve ruined Hua’er—what kind of upbringing did you give him? You’re the real villains!" Yun Niang sneered, spitting blood.

Madam Nie wanted to strangle Yun Niang—and she did, choking her until she turned purple. Only then did Minister Nie order the servants to pull her away.

"I won't waste words on your family. Over the years, Nie Hua has offended many people. If they discover he's merely a servant's son, imagine how many will come after you. You owe our Nie family—so the grocery store won’t be given to you. The indenture contract will be renewed, and this servant will be handed over to Madam Nie for her handling. As for Nie Hua, I'll just break both his legs," Minister Nie said calmly.

"Of course, if your biological father is willing to take part of the punishment, I can break only one of your legs and the other leg of your father. You decide."

Minister Nie signaled the servants to let the two speak.

"I'm the family's sole provider; I can't afford to be injured. I didn’t do anything—I knew nothing until recently when I found out Nie Hua was my son. Haven't you raised Nie Hua all these years? Don’t you have any feelings for him?" Su Dalang first distanced himself, then tried to appeal to their emotions.

Madam Nie thought that a three-year-old was old enough to understand things. If Nie Hua could act this way, it meant he had known all along.

Su Yan had lost his memory, but Nie Hua hadn’t. The thought made her blood run cold. Nie Hua had countless opportunities to reveal the truth, yet he never did.

He even resented Su Yan. Yun Niang would sometimes visit and tell her about Su Yan’s situation. That servant must have been smirking behind their backs.

What kind of biological parents, knowing their own child suffered outside while a fake son was doted on at home, could still feel any pity for the imposter? Even if there were feelings, what did such emotions matter compared to the suffering of their real child?

Nie Hua shouted, "You can't break either of my legs! I was too young to know anything back then—I’m innocent!"

Nie Hua tried to argue further, but Minister Nie ignored him. He ordered the servants to pin the two to the floor. "Madam, perhaps you should step aside for this."

Madam Nie shook her head. "I want to watch."

Minister Nie raised a rod and struck Nie Hua's leg. A scream tore through the air, and after one leg was completely broken, Nie Hua lost consciousness. Minister Nie then broke Su Dalang's leg as well.

He had a servant draw up a new indenture contract and forced Yun Niang to make her mark on it. Yun Niang stared in disbelief at how ruthless Minister Nie was.

Calmly, Minister Nie instructed the servants to clean the blood from the floor and had Nie Hua and Su Dalang thrown into the street. He also sent someone to seize the grocery store's deed. Turning to Su Yan, he said, "If there are belongings you need to collect, go now. Once I retrieve the deed from the capital office, the house will be demolished."

Su Yan nodded. "Lord Nie, I have belongings to collect."

Understanding why Su Yan still addressed him as "Lord Nie," Minister Nie sent his attendant to accompany him.

Su Yan only took his official seal and official robe, leaving everything else behind. The Nie family servants retrieved the deed from the capital office and began demolishing the house. Clutching his official seal, Su Yan heard a loud crash behind him as the house collapsed. He didn’t look back.

Upon returning to the Nie residence, the maids and servants bowed and greeted him, "Young Master."

Madam Nie had another courtyard refurnished completely, while Nie Hua's former residence was locked up.

Not wanting Yun Niang to linger in her sight, Madam Nie gave Yun Niang's indenture contract to a sadistic noblewoman, ensuring Yun Niang would suffer greatly.

The next morning, Minister Nie called the clan head to remove Nie Hua's name from the family register and replace it with Su Yan's, now renamed Nie Yan.

He liked the name "Yan" and didn’t resent it just because his adoptive parents had chosen it.

After the name change, Minister Nie sent out invitations to many notable figures in the capital, introducing Nie Yan to them at a grand banquet.

Nie Yan comported himself with poised humility, his demeanor gentle and refined. As a Second-Ranked Jinshi, he was far superior to the feckless young masters. The Chu family parents were also quite pleased with him.

Madam Chu patted Chu Geer's hand, watching Nie Yan mingle effortlessly at the banquet. "Do you like him? Lord Nie sent word that if you wish to call off the engagement, it can be done without harming the family ties."

Chu Geer blushed as he glanced at Nie Yan. Recognizing her son's feelings, Madam Chu smiled and said, "Very well, I'll inform Lord Nie that the engagement stands."

Chu Geer silently agreed.

With the Minister of Justice hosting the banquet, most of the capital's elite attended. Zheng Shanci and Yu Lanyi entered the Nie residence, with Yu Lanyi whispering, "Heavens, this is better than a stage drama! Thank goodness Lord Nie found his real son—otherwise, it would have been unbearable."

Zheng Shanci never expected such a story of exchanged heirs in ancient times.

He was genuinely happy that Su Yan had returned to his true family.

Du Ning and Xiao Gaoyang also came. Xiao Gaoyang was fine, but Du Ning was still in a daze.

After all, Du Ning worked in the Ministry of Justice, and this situation had left him uneasy.

"How was I supposed to know that was Lord Nie's son?" Du Ning downed his wine in one gulp, still feeling bitter.

Jiang Lanli laughed loudly, and Mei Huai smirked slightly.

Xiao Gaoyang sighed and patted Du Ning on the shoulder.

Nie Yan saw Zheng Shanci and the others approaching with wine cups and raised his cup in a toast.

"Thank you for your care, my lords. I have benefited greatly from it," Su Yan said sincerely.

Xiao Gaoyang encouraged him, "You proved yourself through hard work. Things will go well for you from now on."

Du Ning said generously, "You’re still an official under my command."

Zheng Shanci thought for a moment and smiled, "Keep moving forward. Don’t look back—there’s still so much ahead you haven’t seen."

Nie Yan’s eyes welled up, and he nodded heavily.

Yu Lanyi was playing with Shi Geer and the others. The Nie family’s affairs had become the gossip of the town, with everyone praising Nie Yan’s capabilities, saying a crow can’t turn into a swan.

By evening, the guests had all left, and Zheng Shanci and Yu Lanyi departed together.

The Chu family was also preparing to leave. Chu Geer whispered something to Madam Chu, then walked up to Nie Yan, bowed slightly, and said, "Words fail me, but I wish you endless happiness."

After speaking, Chu Geer turned and ran off, following Madam Chu out of the estate, his face still red.

Nie Yan’s interactions with Chu Geer had been planned all along—his intentions were far from pure. He had pursued Chu Geer out of a desire to take everything Nie Hua ever had.

But as Nie Yan thought of Lord Zheng and Mr. Zheng, and the scenes of Xiao Ping’an, his heart softened. Perhaps settling down with Chu Geer might not be so bad. Though he didn’t love him now, he didn’t dislike him either. Moreover, as Nie Hua’s ex-fiancé, Chu Geer held a special significance for Nie Yan.

If he had to be with someone, Nie Yan preferred it to be Chu Geer.

When Minister Nie proposed continuing the engagement with the Chu family, Nie Yan did not refuse.

As for Nie Hua and Su Dalang, their legs were broken, and they had no money for treatment. Su Dalang went to the docks to carry sacks, but Nie Hua couldn’t handle heavy labor and relied on Su Dalang to support him. When he ventured outside, a group of ruffians beat him, and a few days later, his other leg was broken too. Su Dalang, due to his own leg injury, couldn’t work much, and the docks dismissed him.

Now, Su Dalang scraped by doing odd jobs in the city. Yun Niang, barely alive after suffering, was released by Madam Nie and sent to serve Su Dalang and Nie Hua.

Death would’ve been too easy for them—they deserved to suffer together.

When Yun Niang arrived at their tiny home, which had only one bed, Nie Hua lay there with both legs crippled. Su Dalang slept on a bench. Seeing Yun Niang returned, he took it out on her.

"Why did you have to do such a thing? Look what you got us into. If it weren’t for people watching us, I’d have bolted by now," Su Dalang said bitterly. He felt no affection for Nie Hua—as a man, he could always find another woman and start anew. But because of Nie Hua, he had lost a leg.

"This son is useless too. After enjoying years of luxury in the Nie household, he never thought to send his parents any money—just blew it all on fun. Now that he’s suffering, I have to suffer with him. If only Yan’er were really my son—at least my son is an official now," Su Dalang muttered bitterly.

Frustrated, he lashed out at Yun Niang and Nie Hua, beating them.

With both legs broken, Nie Hua could only spew curses. Yun Niang was no match for Su Dalang, and the house was never at peace.

…

After the banquet at the Nie estate, Zheng Shanci and Yu Lanyi returned home. Xiao Ping’an had been with Lord Zheng and Mr. Zheng, and the two went to pick him up.

Xiao Pingan nestled in Husband Zheng's arms by the fire, the warm glow illuminating his face.

"Father! Papa!" He spotted them and ran over.

Yu Lanyi reached out to ruffle the boy’s hair.

"Father, Papa, we'll take the child home first. It's cold in winter—take care of yourselves," Zheng Shanci said.

Husband Zheng replied, "We know. Pingan said the school’s closed for holiday tomorrow, so let him come over to play."

Zheng Shanci agreed.

The family returned home, and Xiao Pingan whined about being cold. Yu Lanyi told the servants to light the charcoal brazier, then took Xiao Pingan into his room. The boy sat on a small stool next to Yu Lanyi, warming himself.

Yu Lanyi, still unsettled by the scandal of the switched sons in the Nie family, drew Xiao Pingan in to inspect him, fearing his son might no longer be his own.

Xiao Pingan pouted, letting Yu Lanyi fuss over him.

"He’s still your son," Zheng Shanci remarked as he sat down, watching Yu Lanyi examine the boy.

Xiao Pingan blinked and repeated, "I'm your son!"

Only then did Yu Lanyi relent, kissing his son's forehead. "My boy’s my little treasure."

The little treasure giggled shyly.

Once thoroughly warmed, Xiao Pingan rattled off two poems for Zheng Shanci before growing drowsy.

"Go to sleep now. No whistling tonight," Zheng Shanci said gently.

Jin Yun, their servant, led Xiao Pingan to bed, tucking him in before leaving.

After their son had gone to sleep, Zheng Shanci and Yu Lanyi got ready for bed as well.

"Zheng Shanci, I heard the Nie and Chu families still have a marriage arrangement. What do you think will happen?" Yu Lanyi gossiped.

"The wedding’s still on," Zheng Shanci replied, recalling how he had seen Nie Yan walking Chu Geer home earlier.

"Really?" Yu Lanyi's eyes lit up.

Restless in Zheng Shanci's arms, Yu Lanyi accidentally bumped his head against Zheng Shanci's chin.

Zheng Shanci let out a grunt, rubbing his chin while Yu Lanyi lifted himself up to inspect it—reddened from the impact.

Feeling guilty, Yu Lanyi kissed Zheng Shanci's chin, licking it a few times.

"Sorry..."

The tingling feeling made Zheng Shanci's heart flutter.

"Wouldn’t dream of bothering Young Master Yu," Zheng Shanci teased in a low voice.

Yu Lanyi obeyed, licking his chin a few more times. A chilly draft crept in, making Yu Lanyi shiver before scooting back under the blankets.

Zheng Shanci pulled the blankets snug around them.

Cozy under the covers, warmed by Zheng Shanci's body heat, Yu Lanyi muttered, "Satisfied, Lord Zheng?"

"I wouldn’t dream of bothering Young Master Yu," Zheng Shanci laughed softly.

Yu Lanyi glared fiercely at Zheng Shanci, his hand wandering over Zheng's lean waist as his mind wandered.

A man with power, status, and good looks—Yu Lanyi adored him.

"You haven't troubled me yet. If you’ve got the nerve, never trouble me for the rest of your life," Yu Lanyi said before nipping at Zheng Shanci’s abs.

It was gentler than the punches he’d landed on Zheng’s chest earlier. Zheng flexed slightly, murmuring, "Aren’t you afraid of the cold?"

"Who told you to train your abs so well?" Yu Lanyi shot back shamelessly.

Zheng Shanci chuckled.

After a while, Yu Lanyi dozed off, leaving Zheng exasperated.

Holding Yu Lanyi close, Zheng felt an itch—he’d get his payback on their next day off.

As year-end approached, the Ministry of Revenue’s affairs were particularly tedious. As the Minister of Revenue, Zheng Shanci was responsible for overseeing the annual budget review—a major task that usually took three to four days to finalize.

This year’s land tax revenue had increased by one million compared to the previous year. Canal transport remained stable, while silk trade profits rose by 500,000 taels. Salt and iron maintained steady fluctuations. Additionally, the Ministry’s timber speculation—buying low and selling high—along with futures trading had earned a total of 800,000 taels.

By year’s end, the treasury held seven million taels of silver—a decent figure, though hitting ten million would have been ideal. Their projected expenditure for the next year was five million taels.

The Ministry of War’s requisition of provisions and fodder had cost a hefty sum, and the year’s final salary disbursement still needed to be processed.

The officials of the Ministry of Revenue wore expressions of relief—they had finally finished the calculations.

The annual year-end crunch was over. Once the salaries were distributed in the coming days, they could return home for the New Year.

Zheng Shanci dismissed the officials to attend to their own affairs. After they left, he filed for leave—this year, he planned to accompany Yu Lanyi on a trip to his hometown.

His leave was approved, with Emperor Wuming even granting an extra three days. Zheng couldn't help feeling pleased.

The Emperor was being generous.

Officials were given a seven-day holiday for the festival, so Zheng took Yu Lanyi and Xiao Ping'an to the Marquis of Changyang’s ancestral home. Besides their family, Second Master Yu’s household also joined the trip.

It was Xiao Ping'an’s first time leaving the capital. Yu Lanyi had him pack his own belongings.

Xiao Ping'an packed everything he thought he'd need into a large bundle, dutifully carrying it on his back like a little migrant worker heading to the city.

Yu Lanyi, as usual, packed three bundles for Zheng Shanci to load into the carriage. Xiao Ping'an bustled over excitedly and handed his own bundle to Zheng.

Zheng took it and placed it inside the carriage before lifting Xiao Ping'an in as well.

Yu Lanyi, wrapped in a red cloak, hurried through the snow carrying two food boxes.

They'd need provisions for the road.

As Yu Lanyi ran over, his footprints trailed behind him in the snow.

Zheng found the footprints charming.

Yu Lanyi handed the food boxes to Zheng, who placed them on the carriage table before helping Yu up.

Once inside, Yu Lanyi warmed his hands with a hand warmer while Zheng gave the coachman the signal to depart.

Zheng had already informed Mr. Zheng and his parents before leaving—so the elders wouldn't take offense. He had spent the past few New Years with the Zheng family, but this was the first time he accompanied Yu Lanyi back to his hometown. It was high time for a visit.

The Yu family had all left the capital. Xiao Ping'an opened the carriage window and stuck out his little head.

The ground was covered in snow, and many people were entering the city to buy New Year's supplies. It was Xiao Ping'an's first time leaving the capital, and he was thrilled, curious about everything.

Even the bird nests in the trees seemed different from those in the capital.

The cold wind blew in through the open window, so Yu Lanyi pulled the child back inside and closed it, then opened a food box and took out a few plates of snacks. Xiao Ping'an's attention was immediately captured by the treats.

The carriage only stopped when it reached a post station. The stationmaster, seeing their attire, knew they were not your average travelers. The Marquis of Changyang instructed him, "This marquis is headed back to his hometown. Make sure we're well taken care of."

Hearing the self-address "this marquis," the stationmaster got nervous. Noticing the guards with swords by the marquis' side, he quickly said, "Rest assured, my lord."

After verifying their identities, the stationmaster was shocked—this was the Marquis of Changyang’s family.

Second Master Yu also had his identity checked.

Yu Lanyi pushed Zheng Shanci forward.

Zheng Shanci asked, "Do I need to verify my identity too? My father-in-law already has."

Yu Lanyi glared at him. "Do you always have to talk so much?"

What a fierce husband! The stationmaster observed Yu Lanyi’s elegant appearance and handsome face, never expecting such sharpness. Indeed, this was how sons-in-law were—those without much standing had to kowtow to their in-laws, always deferring and humbling themselves.

Zheng Shanci handed his official seal to the stationmaster.

The stationmaster took it, noting the inscription "Minister of Revenue" on the front and "Zheng Shanci" on the back.

News didn't travel as fast here as in the capital, and they rarely paid attention to court affairs. He hadn’t realized the Minister of Revenue had changed.

To hold such a high position at such a young age, and as the Marquis of Changyang’s son-in-law—the stationmaster dared not underestimate Zheng Shanci now.

His smile grew even more fawning as he respectfully returned the seal. "Lord Zheng, please keep this safe."

Zheng Shanci put it away, and a clerk led their party to their quarters.

This was Xiao Ping'an’s first time staying at a post station. He looked around excitedly, stomping on the wooden floor of the loft, making loud thumping noises.

Yu Lanyi warned, "Careful, or you’ll stomp a hole and fall right through."

Xiao Ping'an immediately stopped, tiptoeing instead.

"It’s fine, walk normally. Your dad’s just teasing you."

Hearing Zheng Shanci’s words, Yu Lanyi made a face at him.

Zheng Shanci changed the bedding. Since it was Xiao Ping'an’s first trip, they didn't want him sleeping alone, so he would share their room tonight.

Xiao Ping'an explored the new room, still full of excitement.

"The bed’s ready. I’ll go ask Father-in-law if there are any plans. If not, we can head out for a stroll."

Xiao Ping'an: "Great!"

Yu Lanyi was equally delighted, though he tried to act composed.

Just like two kids.